Dundee striker Simon Murray out to prove Hibs boss wrong

Simon Murray is out to prove to Hibs boss Neil Lennon “it was a mistake” to let him go — and, in the process, bang in the goals for boyhood club Dundee.

That’s something he’s eager to do quickly after a disappointing start to life at Dens Park following the 4-1 home defeat to Ross County.

The former Dundee United striker made a loan switch from Easter Road to the Dark Blues last Wednesday and was thrust into his debut straight away against the Staggies.

The 25-year-old didn’t have much to feed on in a poor Dundee display but that start hasn’t affected his belief the Dark Blues can still get into the top half — an aim manager Neil McCann sold him on when the move came about.

Hibs boss Neil Lennon allowed Simon Murray to leave Easter Road.

Murray said: “It came out of the blue last Wednesday.

“I spoke to Neil Lennon at Hibs and then spoke to the gaffer here and it was obviously a chance for me to come and play more regularly.

“That was the main factor but, when I spoke to the gaffer about what he wants to do here and his aims for the season, I was more than happy to come and give my services to Dundee.

“Top six is the aim — we could have slipped in there at the weekend if results had gone our way.

“Ours didn’t but we’ve got a run of fixtures coming up that we’ll look to get a good few wins and I don’t see why we can’t.”

Despite his Tannadice history, Murray says the switch to his boyhood club didn’t take as much thinking about as it might have done.

He added: “I had moved to Edinburgh but I’m a Dundee boy, grew up a Dundee fan, so it wasn’t as hard as it might have been going to another club or place in Scotland or wherever.

“It was quite easy, to be honest, when I heard Neil Lennon saying I wouldn’t feature as much because they’d signed two new strikers.

A dejected Simon Murray at full time after his Dundee debut

“That’s football for you but it’s up to me to come to Dundee and prove it was a mistake to let me go.”

Creating chances hasn’t been a problem for Dundee this season, putting them away certainly has been.

That’s exactly why boss Neil McCann has brought Murray to the club, to bring that finishing touch, and Murray is determined to prove the Dee gaffer right.

Murray said: “I’ve been watching highlights of Dundee games and seen how many they’ve been creating — even against Hibs when I played a couple of weeks ago they created chances and were unlucky to, at least, not get a draw.

“I’m desperate to score goals so I’m looking to get on the end of these crosses or chances that come about, so I’m looking forward to getting going on that side of things.”

He also revealed the move to Dens Park might have come sooner than this window. A switch directly from Dundee United in the summer would definitely have hit the headlines but, having already agreed his move to Easter Road, it was too late.

“There was interest there to come in (to Dens) in the summer but I had already agreed with Hibs, so it was a wee bit too late.

“I’m happy that I signed for Hibs but I’m also happy to be here now and I’ll do the best I can for Dundee.

“It’s strange how it’s worked out, you never know what’s going to happen in life and things happen for I reason I think.

“Dundee is a great club. Obviously my pals support them, we’ve got a good manager, a good bunch of boys and a good squad, so I’m looking forward to getting some wins.”